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Avatar Went Hot: February 12, 2008 - 5:31 pm
Posted By: annie7 207 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.seomoz.org)
Category: Google Other
Vote: ways Google might fall from dominance.
5 Comments     

Comments

from dalka 207 days ago #
Votes: 0 | Vote:
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Nice post Rand, I'll add these thoughts.

http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/2008/02/11/biggest-threats-google-faces-adding-to-rand-fishkins-post/

from toprank 207 days ago #
Votes: 0 | Vote:
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Hey David, check out: http://tinyurl.com :)

from sza 206 days ago #
Votes: 2 | Vote:
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Threats Google could face

1. Spam by high-tech mafias

"betting against the PhDs & spam researchers at Google was, in the long-term, a losing proposition"

Yes, it may be a losing proposition for old-school SEO spammers. For John and Jane selling dog clothes and recreational services. That's not really an issue for Google.

At the same time, I wonder if the Russians and the Chinese agree with this. They could find and hire as many PhDs as Google does if they think there is money to be made by spamming Google on a large scale.

Google might clean up the index after them in a couple of days. But then another attack could come, and another, until people get tired and lose trust.

2. Whistleblowers, embarassing information

No real scandal arises, no damning information comes out from Google. Is this because they are squeaky clean? Doubtful.

What if some embarassing stuff leaks about how Adwords operates that will anger their advertisers (the people who actually feed Googlers)? Or something leaks about how their rankings or Adsense-payments work that will produce a PR backlash. Or any shenanigans.

3. Pent-up frustration

Every day, Google alienates people. At an ever faster rate. And it will only accelerate as they become more omnipotent and greedy.

Can people vent their frustration about them now? Not really, because it's still Google that offers the best proposition for search, online ads, website monetization, interactive maps, online applications etc.

This could change the minute a credible competitor appears. All that hidden anger will erupt and a mass defection could ensue.

4. Start-ups against the reviled giant

Currently, Google is both huge and generally liked.

In time, being the monopoly they are, they could gradually transform into something rather more reviled (like Microsoft).

Taking them on while they are both huge and likable is an almost impossible challenge for any would-be competitor. But when they mutate into the next big bad wolf, a lot of smart people will actually like the idea of fighting them in the marketplace and in public debate.

from claires 205 days ago #
Votes: 0 | Vote:
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I found this increadibly thought provoking. Being British i have a real thing for the underdog and i'm the first to admit that some new innovative blood taking on the mighty Google would be refreshing. I am skeptical, its more of a pipe dream at this point with all the fingers in proverbile pies the big G has, it would take quite a few corporate hevies that werent afraid of loosing to make this happen.

I did however like the "new way of searching" idea. Human beings are made to develop and learn and visual search or intelligent search (with out restrictions) could well win over the masses. I for one have my firefox set up to tell me all i want tp know from a techical perspective as soon as i land on a site.

I remember seeing an article on a search (i think it was on Hilary Clinton) that delivered everything in an easy to read format, blog, images, video, reviews, forums, websites etc and i thought, yes this is what i like. People are different, but i think if a newcomer can deliver EASE to searching ahead of Google, then they might well win over?.. perhaps..

Good post :)

from BartGibby 205 days ago #
Votes: 0 | Vote:
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Microsoft seems determined to buy Yahoo! one way or another. So maybe Microsoft and Yahoo combined could bring some better competition in the search engine market.

So we may see a little guy beat up ona  big guy. Americans like the underdog too... even though we might seem to be the be big dog globally. Its just a ruse :).


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